“You know every bag of Ancalf you open is going to be the same,” Andy says. “You’ve got the security of knowing exactly what you’re getting.”
Andy, a beef calf rearer from Darfield, has been using Ancalf milk replacer for over five years—and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Rearing between 500 and 1,000 calves annually to 100kg before selling them off, Andy also takes another 250 calves through to the Autumn as yearlings. With such a large-scale operation, consistency and quality are key to his success.
Andy’s operation is built for efficiency, using 5–6 Milk Bar Free Standing 20 Teat Feeders and pumping milk out to the feeders with a Honda generator. But efficiency doesn’t mean cutting corners. “There’s no shortcuts when rearing calves,” Andy explains. “Spend the money once, and spend the money right.”
One of the key benefits Andy has found with Ancalf is its curding formula, which helps reduce scours. “With a curding milk replacer, I’ve found that I get less scours, and that means spending less time with sick calves,” he says.
Andy has tried cheaper products in the past but quickly learned that quality pays dividends. “I started trying to rear calves the cheapest way I could, but you get average calves in return,” he says. “With Ancalf, I get a better calf out of it. I’ve looked at bags that are $10 cheaper, but you might end up spending $40 more on meal. The less time I have the calves, the more profitable it is for me.”
Andy’s feeding system is highly efficient, and he’s always looking for ways to improve. He uses electric milk warmers and is considering installing a gas califont to make warming milk and washing down even easier. When it comes to mixing Ancalf, Andy has a simple and effective process: “I start with reasonably warm water, add Ancalf, then top up to the desired level with the remaining warm water. Using warm water makes mixing easier and ensures the calves get the right feed temperature every time.”
For Andy, the simplicity and consistency of Ancalf make it the ideal choice for his operation. “Every day you feed them, they’re getting the same product,” he says. “It’s the most simple and least time-consuming option for me.”
After years of experience, Andy is confident in recommending Ancalf to other farmers. “There’s no shortcuts when rearing calves,” he says. “Spend the money once, and spend the money right. With Ancalf, you’re investing in healthy calves and a more profitable operation.”